Utility rack



Au 23 1927. I 1640279 g H. l.. LEcKLlTl-:R

UTiLITY RACK Filed VJuly 14, 192s 2 sheets-sheet 1 /////l// /ll INVENTOR WITNESS:

ATTORNEY H. L. LECKLITER' UTILITY RACK Filed July 14.91926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WIlIIlIIIIIlIl/l I/ HTL--` Z607); 2 INVENTOYR.

Patented Aug. Z3, 1927.

HENRY L. LECKLITER, OF BAKERSFIELD,

PATENTv FFEQE.

CALIFGRNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO l. TELDFN, CLFOFJITIA.

UTILITY RACK.

Application filed July 14,

The object of this invention is to provide a utility rack and luggage carrier,` to be fastened to the running board of a motor car, and one which may be entirely concealed below the running board, when not in use, but which is firmly secured, the movable elements being so mounted or connected that there will be no vibration of parts when the car is traveling over an uneven surface.

A further object is to provide adjustable means for retaining the outer element of the rack in any position desired, depending upon the bulk of the load being retained and carried on the running board.

A further object is to provide a two-part rack, the elements of which are movable with reference to each other and with reference to the running board, so that the rack may be utilized under a great variety of conditions, and for the particular purposes indicated below.

A further object is to provide adjustable means for retaining the outer element of the rack in either a folded or an extended position.

A further object is to provide adjustable means for retaining the two parts or two sections of the rack in such position that one of them may extend inwardly and in position to be locked over the articles placed on the running board.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of elements described, illustrated and claimed, it being understood that modifications may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings forming part of this application,

Figure l is a view in elevation showing the rack in operative position as applied to the running boardlof a motor car, a portion of which is illustrated conventionally.

Figure 2 is a view, also in elevation, showing the elements of the rack in extended position, for carrying a larger number of articles, or an additional load, as compared with the position of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view in vertical section, transversely of the running board, and showing the rack folded under said running board.

Figure 1` is in vertical section, thru the 192e. serial No. 122,467.

running board, and shows an end elevation of the rack in position to form a low luggage carrier.

Figure 5 is a view similar to F igurefe, but with the elements of the rack in eX- tended position, to form a high luggage carrier.

Figure 6 shows the elements of the rack in position to form a locked luggage carrier.

Figure 7 shows the rack in position, so that one portion thereof forms a narrow high table projecting outwardly from the running board, and above the latter.

Figure 8, being in transverse section thru the running board, shows the rack in position for forming a wide low table, the rack being in the same plane with the running board.

Figure 9 shows the rack in position for forming, in connection with the running board, a structure to be used as a crib.

Figure 10 shows the device in position for forming, in connection with the runnin board, a bed.

Figure 11 is a View in edge elevation showing the stiiiening rod or brace, of angle form.

Figure 12 is a similar' view of a smaller element of the same character.

Figure 13 is a perspective View of the hinge or hinge strap, three of these elements being employed, in the position of Figures 1 and 2, and said elements con stituting important features of the construction.

Figure ld is a perspective view of a lu used as a retaining device, as in Figures 6 and 7, for instance.

The running board of a motor car is designated 10, and connected with the under side thereof is a special form of hinge or hinge strap, of the type illustrated in perspective in Figure 13. rhese hinges are mounted in the relative positions shown in Figures 1 and 2, although the number to be employed may be varied as desired. Each hinge or hinge strap includes a section or leaf l1 having pivotal connection at 12 with a section or leaf 13. lThe element 13 is pivotally connected at let with link 15, and the latter is pivotally connected at 16 with the section or leaf 17.

In the present instance I have shown the rack as being formed of wooden slats which CTA may be rectangular in cross section, and provided with bores extending vertically, at the ends ol" the slats, the bores being designated 18, and providing for the accommodation of the elements ot Figures 11 and 12, the particular stiliening rod or brace employed, depending upon the use to which the utility rack or luggage carrier is to be applied, or is to serve. rlhe long rod or large brace ol Figure 11 is designated 2O and includes an otset end portion 21, and a smaller brace, shown in'Figure 12, is designated 22.

ln Figure 1 the brace 22 is employed, the slats or bars 23 being in close relation, with one arm of each angle brace extending thru the boresv 18, and the other extending` horizontally, as illustrated. 'llhe sections 11 of the hine'e straps are assumed to be in Close contact with and secured to the under side-oi the ruiming' board 10, the section 13 of the hinge straps extend upwardly at an angle, in Figure 1, and as this arrangement provides the low luggage carrier, the section 17 ol' the hinge strap extends downwardly along the inner side of the series of slats 23, the linlr 15 extending transversely over the upper slat.` Chains such as 24 retain the frame or rack, comprising the lseries ot slats in the position of Figure 1, and Figure Ll, and chain retaining devices, such as 25, at opposite ends, permit of varying the angle ot inclinationA oi" the Jframe or carrier, so that the frame may be tilted outwardly from the position of Figure l, at say an angle of 45 degrees, or any other angle desired, by the suitable connection ot one of the links of the chain or chains with devices 25.

rlhe slats carried by elements 17 of the hinges may be regarded as forming an outer section, movable to various positions relative to the section including hinge elements 13 and several slats spaced as shown, to permit ot the cl-ose folding of the sections.

Fifhen it is desired to make use of a higher carrier the position of the elements is as illustrated in Figure 2, wherein the larger or longer bra-ce 2O of Figure 11 is employed, one arm or this angle brace passing thru the hores 18 at the ends of the slats, and the other arm extending over the top of the upper slat, and the end or offset portion 21 projecting downwardly alongside of the adjacent slat or entering a` bore therein. rlhe braces of Figures 11 and 12 may be inserted from the upper side or edge, or from the lower edge, ii"- properly retained.

When the carrier is not in use, it is swung around a hinge connection 12, to a position below and parallel with the ruiming board, as indicated in Figure 3 and is retained by the bar or bars 30 hinged or pivoted at 31 to elements 32, the bar or bars 30 being substantially parallel with the running board 10, and each including an offset portion 33 at its outer end, this offset portion being engaged by a thumb nut 34C cooperating with the threaded element 35, projecting below the running board.

1n the position of Figure 5, corresponding to the position of Figure 2, the slats 23 are widely spaced, owing to relative movement or the sections and they are also spaced to about the same extent in lligure 6, wherein two ot the slats 23 extend horizontally Vover the middle portion of the running board, and protect the luggage or articles carried by said boarchthis being considered a locked position, and the position being maintained by the braces 22 of Figure 12, used in this case as locking devices'. mounted with the horizontally extending arms turned inwardly toward the body or the car. The braces engage lugs, such as 37, and the horizontally extending portions of the braces projecttl'iru the bores 18 in the ends of those slats 23 which are directly over the running board.

lhis arrangement ot Figure 6 is in a sense reversed in Figure 7, and the horizontal portions ot' the braces 22 each extend outwardly, lor supporting those slats 23 which are shown in this ligure as being positioned beyond the outer edge of the running board, the construction forming, in this position, a narrow high table.

ln Figure 8 the angle brace 20, having its central portion broken away, extends vertically and downwardly, and' the end 21 eo titutes a loot member, this arrangement providing a table construction, considered in connection with' the runiiing board 10.-

ln Figures 9 and 10y the arrangement shows, respectively, a crib and bed construction, the ang-le braces 20 and 22 being inthe relative position shown in Figure 9, and the brace 2O being a similar position in Figure 10. rlhe difference in the position of the slats in Figure 9, as compari-zd with Figure 10, determined by the use oit brace 22Ain Figure 9, produces the mechanical diderence'in the structure of the device in these two views. lt is apparent that other :forms of slats or connections might be employed, within the scope of the claims.

1What l claim is: y

Al'. ln av device ol' the class described, a plurality ci' hinges each including pivotally connected sections, one ot the sections being adapted to be secured beneath a; runi ning board, and slats carried by twojo'l the other sections, the slats of one section being positioned to lie between the slats ont the ther section when the hingesections by 'which they are carried are folded, and devices passing thru the slats 'for retaining the sections in predetermined relative posi- ,Y

tien and for retaining them in substantially the plane o'l the running board and in different positions with reference thereto.

2. ln a device of the class described, a plurality of hinges each including pivotally connected sections, one of the sections-being adapted to be secured beneath a running board, and slats carried by two of the other sections, the slats of one section being positioned to lie between the slats of the other section when the hinge sections by which they are carried are folded, and devices oi' angular form passing thru the slats and acting to retain the hinge sections in a predetermined relative position.

3. In a device of the class described, a plurality of hinges each including pivotally connected sections, one of the sections being adapted to be secured beneath a running board, and slats carried by two of the other sections, the slats of one section being positioned to lie between the slats of the other section when the hinge sections by which they are carried are folded, devices of angular form' passing thru some of the slats for HENRY L. LE CKLITER. 

